Accessibility Analysis of Growth Patterns in Buenos Aires,Argentina

Abstract

This study used a lens of accessibility to examine trends in spatial development in the greater Buenos Aires, Argentina, area over the past two decades. The analysis utilized remote sensing data collected over three time periods in Buenos Aires and automobile and transit employment accessibility measures that were calculated with the use of an open-source accessibility tool to analyze the area's spatial growth patterns. The employment accessibility of different modes of travel in Buenos Aires was calculated. It was noted that, although the transit system provided high employment accessibility to the center city, as well as to the southwest and south of the city, few developments were built in these areas. Most of the developments were built on the periphery of the city, which offered poor transit employment accessibility. The research focused on the development of different development types, such as gated communities, social housing, and informal settlements, and the employment accessibility of the development locations. This information was used to assess the accessibility efficiency of growth in greater Buenos Aires, as well as the effective size and distribution of the area's labor market. How spatial growth affected accessibility for different segments of the population was examined. Policy implications are drawn and possible elements of an integrated regional-use transport strategy are described.

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